Repeal Restrictions on Gun Trace Data

What does this solve?

First enacted by Congress in 2003 as a rider to an appropriations bill, the Tiahrt Rider has restricted public access to data about gun crime and firearm trafficking.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (“ATF”) maintains data in its Firearms Trace Systems database, pertaining to gun recoveries all over the country. Starting in 2003, Congress enacted limitations on ATF’s ability to use appropriated funds to disclose trace data. The rider has been applied in an overly-expansive manner to bar disclosure of critical data under FOIA to the public. Early versions of the Tiahrt Riders even impeded law enforcement’s ability to access trace data. Blocking this data from disclosure protects corrupt gun dealers and hinders localities from enacting effective, targeted gun crime solutions. Repealing the Tiahrt Rider would help address gun violence nationwide.

Which states require crime guns to be traced?

13 states have adopted this policy

Repealing the 2012 Tiahrt Rider would aid both the public in understanding where crime guns in their communities come from and policymakers in crafting targeted solutions to gun crime.

Crime gun tracing is a critical data source—it can help solve gun crimes, and it can also help identify where the guns used in crimes are originating from and wider trends in gun trafficking. But since 2003, annual riders attached to U.S. Department of Justice appropriation bills have prohibited ATF’s use of appropriated funds to disclose most of this important data with the public. This Rider is known as the Tiahrt Rider or the Tiahrt Amendment—named for Representative Todd Tiahrt who first introduced the Rider. At the time of its passage, Rep. Tiahrt was quoted saying, “I wanted to make sure I was fulfilling the needs of my friends who are firearms dealers. NRA officials were helpful in making sure I had my bases covered.” This data-blocking measure serves to protect corrupt dealers and hinder policymakers.

Congress enacted the current and only operative version of the Tiahrt Rider in 2012. The 2012 Tiahrt Rider exempts from the general funding limitation disclosures to federal, local, and foreign law enforcement or intelligence. It also includes language, explaining that the Rider should not be construed to prevent: (A) disclosing statistical information related to the production of licensed importers or manufacturers; (B) the exchange of information among law enforcement officials; and (C) publishing annual statistical reports on ATF regulated products and statistical aggregate data on firearms trafficking and misuse.

By the numbers

140k

From 2012-2019, nearly 140,000 firearms have been reported lost or stolen to the ATF by firearms dealers.

stat

14k

On average, approximately 13,966 firearms are reported lost or stolen to the ATF by firearms dealers every year.

stat

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Repeal Restrictions on Gun Trace Data

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Repeal Restrictions on Gun Trace Data

What does this solve?

Which states require crime guns to be traced?

13 states have adopted this policy

Crime Gun Tracing

Alabama has not adopted this policy

Crime Gun Tracing

Alaska has not adopted this policy

Crime Gun Tracing

Arizona has not adopted this policy

Crime Gun Tracing

Arkansas has not adopted this policy

Crime Gun Tracing

California has adopted this policy

Crime Gun Tracing

Colorado has not adopted this policy

Crime Gun Tracing

Connecticut has adopted this policy

Crime Gun Tracing

Delaware has adopted this policy

Crime Gun Tracing

Florida has not adopted this policy

Crime Gun Tracing

Georgia has not adopted this policy

Crime Gun Tracing

Hawaii has not adopted this policy

Crime Gun Tracing

Idaho has not adopted this policy

Crime Gun Tracing

Illinois has adopted this policy

Crime Gun Tracing

Indiana has not adopted this policy

Crime Gun Tracing

Iowa has not adopted this policy

Crime Gun Tracing

Kansas has not adopted this policy

Crime Gun Tracing

Kentucky has not adopted this policy

Crime Gun Tracing

Louisiana has not adopted this policy

Crime Gun Tracing

Maine has not adopted this policy

Crime Gun Tracing

Maryland has adopted this policy

Crime Gun Tracing

Massachusetts has adopted this policy

Crime Gun Tracing

Michigan has not adopted this policy

Crime Gun Tracing

Minnesota has not adopted this policy

Crime Gun Tracing

Mississippi has not adopted this policy

Crime Gun Tracing

Missouri has not adopted this policy

Crime Gun Tracing

Montana has not adopted this policy

Crime Gun Tracing

Nebraska has not adopted this policy

Crime Gun Tracing

Nevada has not adopted this policy

Crime Gun Tracing

New Hampshire has not adopted this policy

Crime Gun Tracing

New Jersey has adopted this policy

Crime Gun Tracing

New Mexico has not adopted this policy

Crime Gun Tracing

New York has adopted this policy

Crime Gun Tracing

North Carolina has adopted this policy

Crime Gun Tracing

North Dakota has not adopted this policy

Crime Gun Tracing

Ohio has not adopted this policy

Crime Gun Tracing

Oklahoma has not adopted this policy

Crime Gun Tracing

Oregon has adopted this policy

Crime Gun Tracing

Pennsylvania has adopted this policy